1983 635csi

Hey,

I have a couple questions. First of all, my aunt has a 1983 BMW 635csi. According to her, she bought it in 1990 from some rich guy who barely drove it. He had had it shipped specially from Germany after it was manufactured. I have heard that only 25 of these cars were produced that year. So my first question is whether anyone knows anything about what i am talking about. I think my aunt may have some information backing this story up, but i dont know what it is. Does anyone have any info that could back this story up?... or tell me the story is completely wrong?
Secondly, my aunt just got a new car. She has offered to give me the bimmer (for free) because she knows how much i love it, but there are a few big problems. First of all, the car does not run, and its got about 170,000 miles. I have always dreamed of fixing up an old car, especially this one, but i am not sure whether i can really handle it. My parents dont know anything about cars so they wont be any help in repairing it... (by the way, im only 17). I really want this car so much, but if it just ends up sitting in the garage because i cant figure out how to fix it, it wont be worth it. Can anyone give me some advice? Thanks alot.


Joe

Hi Joe,
I know of the pre-1985 635s, drove with one last weekend at the 2002 Pacific Sharkfest. Very pretty cars.

I don't know of the production quantity, but I'm sure it's more than 25. Should be more like 2500, if not more. I'm assuming this is a CSi, versus a Euro M6.

The Euro Design is very sought after in the states by E24 aficinados. If you can't afford to get it running, there are many options.
Part it out.
Sell it as-is to a collector.
Trade for a running car.

As far a getting it to run, you should befriend a mechanically inclined person who is familiar with BMWs. Some parts may be difficult to find, but most are interchangable with the 633. A compentent mechanic would be a good source to start. Let him advise, but you do the work.

Another option is to enroll in your school's auto shop. It will be well worth the time, since it's effectivly FREE. A real trade school course might cost several thousand bucks. Let the instructor become the advisor.

Good Luck!

Hi,

Fine car, but there are more than 25 of them around :)

In total, over 86.000 E24-body 6-series cars of all versions were manufactured between ´76 and ´89. One site I've found (www.635csi.de) lists the manufacturing numbers and as far as I can understand the 635 CSi is, oddly enough, the most common of them, with a total of 42.996 cars of all variants made between 6/78 and 4/89.

Of the newer 635 model (´82 onwards), 7.342 were Euro spec manual gearbox cars made from 5/82 until 1/89. U.S. manual tranny model is a bit more unusual, with 3.713 made between 10/84 and 3/89.

Now that you've read those numbers, put them out of your mind and start reading 6-series history and automotive tech manuals so that you can properly enjoy a truly great car !

rgds,
TN

wow, i have never seen a 6 series.

I am sure you have. They stopped selling them in the U.S. in 1989.

actually, i saw a red one in poor condition on the freeway on saturday

I think that it's a great opportunity to learn something about cars. There are two things that you need to look for when diagnosing a "no start" condition.

1. spark (spark plugs are firing)

2. fuel (gas getting into the engine)

This of course is assuming that the engine turns over. If it doesn't check the battery for voltage.
It's really that easy.

Good luck, Eric



Hey,

I have a couple questions. First of all, my aunt has a 1983 BMW 635csi. According to her, she bought it in 1990 from some rich guy who barely drove it. He had had it shipped specially from Germany after it was manufactured. I have heard that only 25 of these cars were produced that year. So my first question is whether anyone knows anything about what i am talking about. I think my aunt may have some information backing this story up, but i dont know what it is. Does anyone have any info that could back this story up?... or tell me the story is completely wrong?
Secondly, my aunt just got a new car. She has offered to give me the bimmer (for free) because she knows how much i love it, but there are a few big problems. First of all, the car does not run, and its got about 170,000 miles. I have always dreamed of fixing up an old car, especially this one, but i am not sure whether i can really handle it. My parents dont know anything about cars so they wont be any help in repairing it... (by the way, im only 17). I really want this car so much, but if it just ends up sitting in the garage because i cant figure out how to fix it, it wont be worth it. Can anyone give me some advice? Thanks alot.


Joe

Hi Joe,

If you would post the location of the car, we may be able to help.

And if I am close enough I will try to make your Aunt an offer she can not turn down. Just joking.

Knowing the location is an issue on what is recommended on getting it running.

Later,

Hey Joe!! go to the local library and see if they have this book called
BMW 6 Series By Jeremy Walton , the book has a lot of good information stats,history of the car, etc good luck